LivingWoman
Four civilian governors, including the incumbent, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, have taken turns to govern Edo State. But in terms of setting an agenda for themselves and the manner of men, machine and materials to combine to achieve their goals, Obaseki appears to have an edge. Or do we say he is divinely lucky? May be! Edo State is uniquely blessed to take the lead among the comity of states in the federation especially at such a time as this when oil revenue has virtually dried up. But it will take a man with quality intelligence and strength to harmonize the potentials of the state to achieve the goal for a better State. And that is where Obaseki fits in as a round peg in a round hole. A financial wizard, a development economist and an investment guru, Obaseki is set to take Edo State to a new height. He however cannot succeed without capable hands to complement his effort. In the search for capable hands, the governor may have to gamble with how to make a good choice among the lot which his party may throw up, to constitute his cabinet. Fortunately for him, there is one person whose intelligence, capability and vision are ready-made for him. And that is no other than his dear wife, Betsy.
Mrs. Betsy Obaseki’s antecedents speak volumes. A technocrat of no mean repute, her academic and professional credentials are quite intimidating. The holder of a B.Sc and M.Sc. degrees in Accounting from the University of Lagos and an alumnus of the Kellog’s School of Business Executive Management Program, USA, Betsy, until now, has been the Managing Director of BOI Investment and Trust Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Bank of Industry.
Betsy Obaseki’s ability to turn peoples fortunes around for good has been put to test severally in the course of her career as an investment expert. And it is against this background that the soft-spoken woman addressed Edo women during the campaigns leading to her husband victory. “My husband will change your lives”, she told them, saying that the combination of her husband’s experience, care and love will give an average Edo woman a new lease of life.
She is quite abreast of the myriads of challenges confronting the average Edo woman and she knows exactly which string to pull to address these challenges. Like a top Edo socialite woman commented shortly after the victory of Obaseki at the polls, “with the victory of Mr. Obaseki, the hue and cry of Edo women for women equality in governance has come to an end because we now have our own directly in the governor’s office.”
Betsy has assured the women of Edo State that her husband, the governor who is very passionate about the plight of the women will provide soft loans to drive their micro-credit businesses to better their lot. As a perfect complement for her husband, Mrs. Obaseki has demonstrated her passionate love and care for the womenfolk by the various empowerment programmes she has embarked on even before now. And with power and resources at her disposal, the sky seems to be the beginning for the average Edo woman under the governorship of Godwin Obaseki.
